Maple, Purpleheart and Black Walnut, just like the first. It’s 1 1/4 inch thick. I learned a lot with my first cutting board.

First, I took Larry’s advice from my first attempt and decided to try again, and vary the widths. I also went back and read every single post Larry ever did (degoose). I picked up the idea to get TiteBond III (went out and bought it ASAP). That stuff seems to be pretty good. Don’t drop it on your tablesaw….. or there is lots of scrubbing involved to get it off ;)

Second, with Larry’s suggestion in mind, I checked out the woodwhisperer video suggested by DustBunny. Amazing tutorial. I did not have 8/4 wood (only 4/4) but I followed the principles and got a nice flat board that feels sturdier than my first.

Larry was right. Varying the widths and making a checkerboard like pattern is far easier. Fewer gremlins break into the shop at night. This time it worked.

Third, I did not use a planer to flatten it off this time. The tip from the WoodWhisperer on how to clamp was great. I did not have packing tape so I used the universal solution to everything … duct tape. In addition, Bob #2 pointed me to one of Todd Clippinger’s great videos about how to use a scraper. I finally learned how to use one. I was so excited after I saw the video that I ran out (at first chance) to get myself a file so I can sharpen my scraper. WOW. Amazing. I was never productive because I was sharpening it all wrong.

So far I put three good doses of mineral oil on it. I think I will also do the waxing thing. I want it to last. Mom will love it for xmas.

The last pic is a sneak peek from the next project I started. I usually have a couple going at the same time which is why it takes me so long… I am making a box to give to my upcoming niece. It will be cherry and basswood – the basswood part is being carved with celtic animals. It will have mortise and tenon legs. This will likely take me up to xmas…. but it’s a nice quiet afterwork nighttime activity since I can’t really rev up the tablesaw when I get home.

Yes – first I scraped it away to get it as smoothed down as I could. I also tried my block planer to get off the additional debris but I had better luck with the scraper. Then I used by random orbital sander starting at 120 grit to polish it off.

Much less fine particles in the air which is a very definite plus. And… you can scrape in the wee hours of the morning or evening without disturbing too many people :)